Obituaries

Odetta NovakJanuary 3, 1927 - May 19, 2012

BYRDSTOWN--Odetta R. Novak, 85, a resident of Pickett Care and Rehab passed away Saturday, May 19, 2012. She was born Jan. 3, 1927 in Sevres, France to the late George and Lucienne Schmitt Bodot. Mrs. Novak grew up in the Paris region and worked for the post war French Government when she met her future husband Joseph F. Novak of Ringle WI serving the U.S. Army's 77th Hospital Train Unit. She worked with other volunteers to greet French prisoners of war as they arrived back from France. It was partly a result of that work that she she met her husband in a cafe at the Gare de l'Est train station, Paris in January 1946. She and her friend spotted two American Soldiers in the cafe and divided the pair between them. Fate had already decided that she would marry the young man chosen by her friend. They were married at Notre Dame Church in Malakoff May 25, 1946. Mrs. Novak never abandoned her pride in her French origins and migrated to the United States in July 1946 and spent the rest of her life as a loyal American citizen. She quickly adapted to life in America and acquired a new family among her husband's brothers, sisters and cousins. She dedicated the first 30 years of her married life to raising four children and then became the coordinator of religious education at Holy Name Parish in Wausau for 20 years. Mrs. Novak spent several years teaching French at the Rib Mountain School, served as a resource for French teachers at local high schools and frequently spoke at local schools about her experiences in occupied Paris during World War II. Until her recent battle with dementia she never lost her love for the opera, travel and especially her return trips to her native France and the company of her extended family and many friends. This year would have marked the 66th Wedding Anniversary of Joseph and Odetta Novak.Other than her parents she is preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers. Survivors include husband Joseph F. Novak, four children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Also survived by several nieces and nephews in the United States and Europe. A memorial service will be held Friday, June 1, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at the Pickett Care and Rehab Center. A second memorial service is being planned in Wausau, WI. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Kennedy Park Rehabilitation Center, Schofield, WI and to the staff at Pickett Care and Rehab for their dedicated and compassionate care.

Sue BrubakerJune 21, 1947 - May 19, 2012

BYRDSTOWN--Sue Ann Pryor Brubaker, 64, a resident of Pickett Care and Rehab passed away Saturday, May 19, 2012. She was born June 21, 1947 in Pickett County to the late Webster and Bulah Dowdy Pryor and lived most of her life Pickett County. Other than her parents she is preceded in death six brothers, Bobby, Butch, Jackie, Gene, Hollis and Paul Pryor. Survivors include daughter, Angela Stinson of Byrdstown; three sons, Barry and Brian Brubaker of IN and Shannon Brubaker; two sisters, Gaylon Nicholas and Linda Booher, Byrdstown ;three brothers, Gary Pryor of Albany, Wayne and Watson Pryor both of Byrdstown; granddaughter, Brittney Rena Stinson, Byrdstown. Also survived by nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. The family has chosen cremation with a memorial service set for Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. from the Red Hill First Baptist Church and Bro. Tom Jones officiating. Special care provided by Brown Funeral Chapel.

Elmer AlexanderMay 6, 1932 - May 16, 2012

BYRDSTOWN--Elmer Litten Alexander, 80, Alexander Lane, Byrdstown passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at his residence. He was born May 6, 1932 in Dayton, OH to the late Jack and Ruth Johnson Alexander. Mr. Alexander has lived the past 36 years in Pickett County and was a retired computer engineer. Other than his parents he is preceded death by sister, Jacqueline Vaughn and two brothers, James and Robert Alexander. Survivors include his wife, Edith Kate Huddleston Alexander; three daughters, Kristy Dowdy & husband Mike, Connie Alexander and Cathy Alexander all of Byrdstown; two brothers, Jerry Alexander of Livingston and George Alexander of Miamisburg, OH; three grandchildren, Michelle Zachary, Melissa Rhule and Amanda Beaty; five great-grandchildren. Also survived by nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Graveside services were held Thursday, May 17, 2012 from the Alexander Family Cemetery in Moodyville with Bro. Johnny Rexroat officiating. Pallbearers include Dana Dowdy, David Dowdy, Bryan Rhule, Maxie Beaty, John Zachary, Daniel Huddleston and Jack Huddleston. Special care proved by Brown Funeral Chapel.

Rema BeatyApril 29, 1920 - May 13, 2012

BYRDSTOWN--Rema Minnie Storie Beaty, 92, a resident of Pickett Care and Rehab and former resident of Pall Mall passed away Sunday, May 13, 2012. She was born April 29, 1920 in Pickett Co. to the late Arthur and Jane Easterly Storie. Mrs. Beaty lived all her life in Pickett and Fentress County as a homemaker, a retired factory employee and a member of the Travisville Methodist Church. Other than her parents she is preceded in death by her husband, Hasca Beaty; four sisters, Vina Crabtree, Nora Upchurch, Dean Poore and Cintha Storie; two brothers, Taylor Storie and Taft Story; son-in-law, Earl Dean Russell. Survivors include daughter, Leoma Russell; son, Tony Beaty & wife Mary Ann all of Pall Mall; five grandchildren, Teddy Russell, Robert, Richard, Joseph and Daniel Beaty, 11 great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren. Also survived by nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Funeral services were held thursday May 17, 2012 at Brown Funeral Chapel with Bro. Larry Campbell officiating and burial at Mt. Era Cemtery. Pallbearers were Teddy Russell, Robert, Richard, Daniel, Joe and Freddy Beaty. Special care provided by Brown Funeral Chapel.

Edith CopeAugust 31, 1931 - May 13, 2012

LIVINGSTON--Edith Gay Claborn Cope, 80, Tower Hill Rd., Livingston passed away Sunday, May 13, 2012 at the Livingston Regional Hospital. She was born August 31, 1931 in Huntersville, KY to the late Russell and Minnie Story Claborn and lived most of her life in Overton County. Mrs. Cope was a housewife and was baptized at the Red Hill Church of Christ. Other than her parents she is preceded in death by son, Lester Cope; grandson, Jamie Allen Cope; five brothers, George, Robert, Thurman, A.B. and Mackie Claborn. Survivors are husband, Howard Cope of Livingston; three daughters, Wilma Rockwell & husband Ray, Kathy Neal & husband Mark all of Livingston and Carol Ray of Fisher, IN; son, Johnny Cope & wife Marcia of Hilham; four sisters, Lena Mae Gilliand of Algood, Edna Cope, Daisy Johnson & husband Jerry, all of Ohio, Linda Cisco of Cookeville; two brothers, R.L. Claborn of Kentucky and Randy Claborn of Ohio; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Also survived by nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at Livingston Funeral Home with Bro. Rick Cross officiating and burial at Amonett Cemetery. Pallbearers included Jason Cope, D.J. Massengille, Donny Reeder, Derick Beasley, David Wilson, Steven Ray and Brett Allen. Special care provided by Livingston Funeral Home.

Martha Lee ShaferSeptember 26, 1936 - May 10, 2012

VERNON, FL--Martha Lee Shafer, 75 of Vernon, FL passed away Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Covenant Hospice, Panama City, FL. She was born Martha Leedell Whittenberg Sept. 26, 1936 in Byrdstown to the late Kenneth Whittenberg and Pearl Amonett Whittenberg. She was also the beloved stepdaughter of the late Geneva Whittenberg Cope. Other than her parents and stepmother she is preceded in death by great-grandson, Samuel Majewski; brother, Ralph Whittenberg; sister Lorraine Whittenberg. Survivors include daughter, Victoria Everette & husband Ronnie E., Panama City, FL; two sons, Lowell R. Shafer & wife Amy of Hilo, HI and Cary Michael Shafer of Vernon, FL; seven grandchildren, Storm Majewski, Calera, Al, Shanna Chapman all of Pinson, AL., David Holland-Shafer of Germantown, MD., Elizabeth Shafer, Louisville, KY., Allen Shafer of Pensacola, Fl., Sarah Shafer, Hilo, HI and James M. Shafer of CA. Five great- grandchildren, Chance and Evan Majewski, Calera, AL., Dade and Trinity Grimsley of Pinson, AL., and Gabriel Shafer, Pensacola, FL; seven brothers and sisters, Walter Whittenberg, Nashville, Janice Ferrell, Dean Rhule, Bonnie Bowman, Virginia Branaum all of Cookeville, Jack Whittenberg, Byrdstown, Patsy Whittenberg, FL. Also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews on both Amonett and Whittenberg sides of the family. The family respectfully request that in lieu of flowers donations to be made in the name of Martha Lee Shafer to Covenant Hospice at donatecovenanthospice.org or contact Victoria Everett at 850-665-2646 for more information.